United States Strongest Rhythmic Gymnasts Ever Ready for Their Most Important 2015 Event

The United States has taken a firm position as one of the world's leading nations in artistic gymnastics with the great and unforgettable stars from the 1990s, Shannon Miller and Kim Zmeskal, followed by the astonishing Olympic champion Nastia Likuin, a true personification of both strength and grace, and the new generation of female super heroes: Gabbie Douglas, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and all the other girls on the national team.

I believe that the only reason rhythmic gymnastics has not followed into the glorious footsteps of its artistic sister discipline is quite simply because rhythmic has not gained enough popularity in the United States (yet!). I think rhythmic might just be biding its time before thousands of girls in America discover its charm. I have written about some terrific American gymnasts in the past, such as Rebecca Sereda and Ronit Shamuilov. I liked some of their work quite a bit, but this year, at the 2015 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, which are about to start on September 7th, the United States is going on the world gymnastics carpet with its best foot forward because the two gymnasts who represent us are Laura Zeng and Jazzy Kerber.

Laura and Jazzy have both gone very far in developing all the qualities that a rhythmic gymnast needs: from flexibility and natural elegance to apparatus work to sheer strength of body and mind. I would like to take this moment to wish them luck, but, more importantly, to share with the fans that, as a true fan, I expect many great achievements from both for them and I do hope that this World Championship will mark the start of an upward-climbing path. Keep going forward and on to the next milestone! Both of you are ready, and you are wonderful!

Laura Zeng in Moscow

Jazzy looks elegant from any angle

The Talented Rebecca Sereda Accepted at Boston University

Rebecca Sereda is one of the most successful American rhythmic gymnasts of all time. A national champion, Rebecca also placed 7th with ribbon at the 2013 Corbeil World Cup in France; it has been a rare feat for an American to make a World Cup final and, in Rebecca’s case, this was well-deserved. Rebecca is also the 2009 Junior All-around Pan-American champion and has represented the United States at multiple international events.

Rebecca's recent retirement may have come a disappointment to many fans, but we have good news as well: she just got into Boston University. Since I have attended Boston University for law school, I would like to say that I am particularly proud of Rebecca for choosing a great school and I wish her new success and wonderful adventures in her life as a student. She will be missed at the great gymnastics stage!

Who Has the Most Exciting Ribbon Routine....

...that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the beginning:

Where the gymnast and the ribbon don't stop moving even for a split second. And with a stunning leotard:

And at the end, you just want to jump to your feet:

Congratulations to Marina Durunda and her coach Mariana Vassileva for a well-deserved silver medal with ribbon at the European Games. May there be many more to come!

I am hoping that now that the judges have "noticed" Durunda's excellence, they will give her fair scores at the World Championship in September. She has time to work on some of the elements in her other routines and avoid any random errors, like the one she had with clubs in Baku.

So, I would really like to see her in all finals at the Worlds, and also see her receive scores over 18.000 every time she performs cleanly. Marina has really shown that you can always improve and she has taken on great challenges. Great challenges bring great rewards!

Let's hope the rewards come soon!